One minute after free agency began in July 2010, Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn reached out to the Octagon basketball group to arrange for a face-to-face visit with restricted free agent forward Rudy Gay.

A visit was agreed upon, but before Gay got on a flight for Minneapolis, he re-signed with Memphis for five years and $80 million.

Two-and-a-half years later, Gay is readily available -- mostly because the Grizzlies, barring a trade of either him or another high-priced player, will be in luxury tax purgatory.

So, this is Kahn's chance to land a player he has long coveted. But according to a league source, he turned down a trade proposal from Memphis for Gay recently.

In fact, the source insists Kahn said no immediately. It's unknown what Memphis' idea was, but since it was turned down emphatically, logic suggests it involved All-Star Kevin Love and/or center Nikola Pekovic. It's possible three- or four-team trade scenarios were discussed, too.

Until Gay is moved -- which is not a given, even though Memphis is calling many teams -- the Wolves are worth monitoring. The source said the Wolves like him, but the 2½ years and approximately $45 million remaining on Gay's contract is an issue.